Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39415630›Full record

SynthesisHealth expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy2024

Factors That Influence Access to Medical Assistance in Dying Services: An Integrative Review.

Jayne Hewitt, Michael Wilson, Ann Bonner, Melissa J Bloomer

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Jayne HewittSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-6888-2666
Michael WilsonUniversity of Adelaide Nursing School, Adelaide, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-6732-8508
Ann BonnerSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-9920-6743
Melissa J BloomerSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-1170-3951

Funding

This study was partially supported by a School of Nursing and Midwifery Seed Grant.
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn nearly all jurisdictions where it is permitted, Medical Assistance in Dying is situated in a healthcare system. Currently, limited evidence demonstrates how supply and demand factors influence access to Medical Assistance in Dying.

objectiveThe aim of this study is to synthesise empirical research from jurisdictions where Medical Assistance in Dying is legal to identify how supply and demand factors influence access for eligible adults.

methodAn integrative review was conducted. CINAHL Complete, PubMed, ProQuest, PsycINFO and Embase databases were systematically searched for studies published between January 1998 and January 2024. Records were independently assessed against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Additional studies were identified by forward and backward citation searching. All studies were assessed for quality. Findings were analysed deductively using an established conceptual framework, and a secondary narrative synthesis was undertaken.

resultsFifty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies (n = 32) reported results related to the supply side, 16 reported on the demand side and 10 reported on both supply and demand dimensions of access. Studies about supply showed that health service policies may obstruct access to Medical Assistance in Dying. For healthcare professionals, the practice entails an additional workload and can create tensions with colleagues. Studies of the demand for Medical Assistance in Dying focused on supporting time-critical decisions, adequate planning and caregiver support.

conclusionAccess to Medical Assistance in Dying requires the participation of health services and healthcare professionals but is hindered by policies that obstruct access and direct financial and indirect emotional labour costs. Innovative and inclusive models to promote high-quality, compassionate care at the end of life and access to Medical Assistance in Dying should be considered. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients, caregivers and service users were involved in many of the studies included in this review, and their experiences and perspectives contributed to the analysis and synthesis in this review.

Indexed as

Health Services AccessibilitySuicide, AssistedHumansTerminal Careassisted dyingeuthanasiahealth service accessintegrative reviewMAiDsupply and demand

Identifiers

PMID39415630
PMCPMC11483748

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.